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BBC1 Panorama team apologises

BBC1’s investigative documentary series Panorama has apologised for making a mistake about how Type 1 diabetes was described in an episode about the rise in cases of Type 2 diabetes.

Many people complained to the BBC's Points of View show and people got in touch with us here atDiabetes UKto raise their concerns.

The narrator of the hour-long special, broadcast on Monday 3 October 2016, incorrectly said Type 1 diabetes is “the type you’re born with” when attempting to explain the difference between Type 1 and Type 2. Our expert team explained to both Points of View and Panorama why the statement broadcast is factually incorrect, and what they should have said. A brief part of our explanation was broadcast right before Panorama's apology.

Points of View presenter Jeremy Vine said: “Diabetes UK told us as there isn’t enough research to determine the exact cause of Type 1 diabetes, and it was factually incorrect to claim it’s “the type you’re born with."

Our position and viewers comments were put to Panorama editor Rachel Jupp. In response she said: “It is vital we get the facts right… The line about Type 1 diabetes wasn’t medically accurate, and we shouldn’t have said it.”